Rosepink (Sabatia angularis)

Sabatia angularis is known by the common names Rosepink, Rose-pink, Bitter-bloom, Common Marsh-pink, and Square-stem Rose Gentian. We saw this plant first in Gilmer and Pickens counties in North Georgia last July. This year, we’ve seen it in Taliaferro, Hancock, and Jasper counties. Plants are biennials and reseed.

These plants are hardly visible at a distance. The first I noticed was a flash of pale pink flower heads as we pass by. It’s only when we got up close we realized how pretty these flowers are.

Growing in full sun in a branching, bushy mode. This plant is about 18 inches tall.

Growing in complete shade as long, single stems, in this case, about 30 inches tall.

The flowers occur in panicles

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The flowers. Pink petals have a green angular spot at the base; the green spot has a narrow red margin. The stigma on these flowers hasn’t unfurled yet; the anthers are curled. The angular stem is visible in the upper photograph.

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These flowers show the stigma ‘unfolded.’ The stigma has a ‘furry’ appearance. Its shape is clear in the shadow on the petal in the lowest of the photos above.

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The backside of the flowers showing the sepals

The stems are angular and the leaves are opposite

Sabatia angularis (Rosepink) is native to the United States. It’s found in the eastern United States from Ontario in Canada and in states east of a line from Wisconsin and Michigan southwest to New Mexico. In Georgia, it’s been documented growing in several counties in the Piedmont.
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Distribution:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Sabatia angularis (Rosepink)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Sabatia angularis

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Rosepink (Sabatia angularis)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Sabatia angularis (Rose-pink, Bitter-bloom, Common Marsh-pink)
- Missouri Plants: Sabatia angularis
- Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses: Sabatia angularis

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index